An in-service nuclear fuel assembly lattice oxide film detection device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device, it includes base assembly, sliding assembly, drive assembly and detection assembly, base assembly includes base and guide rail being set on base;Sliding assembly is movably set on guide rail;Drive assembly is connected with sliding assembly, to drive sliding assembly to slide on guide rail;Detection assembly is rotatably set on sliding assembly around a first rotation axis.The application is by being provided with motion stroke and rotation axis in the detection device inside, solve the problem of measuring the thickness of the grid oxide film of nuclear fuel assembly in high irradiation environment: on the one hand, when not detecting, eddy current sensor is away from nuclear fuel assembly, prolongs the service life of eddy current sensor;On the other hand, when detecting, the probe head of eddy current sensor and the grid of fuel assembly are self-adaptive, improve the repeat accuracy of measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear power, and more specifically, to a device for detecting oxide film on in-service nuclear fuel assembly grids. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel assemblies are the core components of a nuclear power plant, and their condition directly determines the reactor's operating status, especially for newer fuel assemblies. Therefore, regular condition checks are necessary to assess fuel assembly performance, and the thickness of the grid oxide film is one parameter that requires close monitoring.

[0003] Currently, the detection parameters used in fuel assembly condition testing devices mainly include the degree of assembly deformation and the thickness of the oxide film on the fuel rods; however, there is currently no detection device for detecting the thickness of the oxide film on the grid. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device for detecting oxide film on in-service nuclear fuel assembly grids.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0006] A device for detecting oxide film on in-service nuclear fuel assembly grids is provided, comprising:

[0007] A base assembly, including a base and a guide rail disposed on the base;

[0008] A sliding component is movably mounted on the guide rail;

[0009] A driving component, connected to the sliding component, to drive the sliding component to slide on the guide rail; and

[0010] The detection component is rotatably mounted on the sliding component about a first rotation axis.

[0011] In some embodiments, the detection assembly further includes a clamping assembly rotatably mounted on the sliding assembly about the first rotation axis, a fixing member rotatably mounted in the clamping assembly about at least one second rotation axis, and an eddy current sensor disposed in the fixing member.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fastener is spherically connected to the clamping assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the eddy current sensor includes a retractable probe.

[0014] In some embodiments, the detection assembly further includes a reference cover disposed around the probe, wherein the probe's detection end protrudes beyond the outer end of the reference cover.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reference cover is semi-trumpet shaped and disposed on the lower periphery of the probe.

[0016] In some embodiments, the reference cover is coaxially arranged with the probe, and its axis is perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first rotation axis is perpendicular to the length direction of the guide rail.

[0018] In some embodiments, the sliding assembly includes a main body, the main body includes an adjustment frame, the adjustment frame includes a bracket and a pair of elastic members mounted on the bracket, the pair of elastic members respectively abutting against the detection assembly and respectively spaced apart on two opposite sides of the first rotation axis.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sliding assembly further includes a first sensor, and the driving assembly includes a second sensor, a third sensor, and a fourth sensor, wherein the first sensor cooperates with the second sensor, and the third sensor cooperates with the fourth sensor.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting a motion stroke and a rotation axis inside the detection device, this invention solves the problem of measuring the thickness of the grid oxide film of nuclear fuel assemblies under high irradiation environment. On the one hand, when not performing detection, the eddy current sensor is far away from the nuclear fuel assembly, which extends the service life of the eddy current sensor. On the other hand, when performing detection, the probe of the eddy current sensor adapts to the grid of the fuel assembly, which improves the repeatability of the measurement. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of an in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this invention, specific embodiments are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "head," and "tail" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and do not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. When an component is referred to as being "on" or "below" another component, the component can be located "directly" or "indirectly" on the other component, or there may be one or more intermediary components. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first," "second," "third," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail.

[0027] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1This invention illustrates an in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device is used to detect the thickness of the grid oxide film on the fuel assembly and includes a base assembly 1, a sliding assembly 2, a driving assembly 3, and a detection assembly 4. The sliding assembly 2 is movably disposed on the base assembly 1 and has two opposing ends. The driving assembly 3 is connected to one end, and the detection assembly 4 is rotatably disposed at the other end. The detection assembly 4 can rotate about a first rotation axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane where the base assembly 1 is located. The base assembly 1 provides structural support for the driving assembly 3 and cooperates with the sliding assembly 2. The sliding assembly 2 provides structural support for the detection assembly 4 and connects the components. The driving assembly 3 provides power for the sliding assembly 2 to move on the base assembly 1. The detection assembly 4 is used to measure data.

[0029] In some embodiments, the base assembly 1 is elongated and includes a base 11 and a guide rail 12. The base 11 provides structural support for the guide rail 12. The guide rail 12 is disposed on the base 11, and its length direction is perpendicular to the first rotation axis, providing a sliding track for the sliding assembly 2. In some embodiments, the guide rail 12 includes a first end 121 and a second end 122 opposite to the first end 121. The sliding assembly 2 slides back and forth between a first position and a second position on the guide rail 12, with the first position closer to the first end 121 and the second position closer to the second end 122.

[0030] For example Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the sliding component 2 is longitudinally elongated, with its longitudinal direction parallel to the distribution direction of the guide rail 12. The sliding component 2 may include a slider 21, a main body 22, and a first sensing element 23. The slider 21 is movably disposed on the guide rail 12 for cooperating with the guide rail 12. The main body 22 is connected to the upper side of the slider 21 and provides structural support for the detection component 4. The first sensing element 23 is disposed on the side of the slider 21 facing the first end 121 and is used to sense the movement state of the sliding component 2.

[0031] In some embodiments, the main body 22 has two opposing ends, one end being close to the first end 121 and connected to the sliding member 21; the other end being close to the second end 122 and having a bearing seat 221 that extends vertically. In some embodiments, the main body 22 also includes an adjustment frame 222, which further includes a pair of elastic members 2221 and a bracket 2222 for mounting the pair of elastic members 2221. The bracket 2222 is located at the end of the bearing seat 221 away from the base assembly 1. The pair of elastic members 2221 are mounted on the bracket 2222 and are respectively spaced apart on both sides of the first rotation axis of the detection assembly 4 to increase the contact force between the detection assembly 4 and the measured surface and to reset the detection assembly 4.

[0032] For example Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive assembly 3 may include a fixed base 31 and a cylinder 32. The fixed base 31 is disposed at the first end 121 and is used to provide structural support for the cylinder 32. The cylinder 32 passes through the fixed base 31 and is connected to the side of the slider 21 facing the first end 121, and is used to drive the slider assembly 2 to slide on the base assembly 1.

[0033] In some embodiments, the drive assembly 3 may include a second sensor 33, a third sensor 34, and a fourth sensor (not shown). The second sensor 33 is disposed on the side of the fixed base 31 facing the second end 122 and is used to cooperate with the first sensor 23. The third sensor 34 is disposed on the outside of the cylinder 32 and close to the fixed base 31, and the fourth sensor is disposed on the inside of the cylinder 32 and away from the fixed base 31. The third sensor 34 and the fourth sensor cooperate to sense the movement state of the sliding assembly 2.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the detection component 4 may include a rotating shaft 41, a support member 42, a clamping assembly 43, a reference cover 44, a fixing member 45, and an eddy current sensor 46. The rotating shaft 41, the support member 42, and the clamping assembly 43 are connected sequentially along a first rotation axis. The rotating shaft 41 is rotatably inserted into the bearing seat 221 of the main body 22 to provide structural support for the rotation function of the detection component 4. The support member 42 abuts against the elastic member 2221 on the side facing the first end 121, and is used to cooperate with the elastic member 2221. The clamping assembly 43 is used to provide accommodating space for the fixing member 45, and in some embodiments may include a first clamping member 431 and a second clamping member 432 that cooperates with the first clamping member 431. The reference cover 44 is disposed on the side of the support member 42 and the clamping assembly 43 facing the second end 122, and is used to fit against the surface to be measured. The fixing member 45 is rotatably disposed in the clamping assembly 43, and is used to tightly fit the eddy current sensor 46.

[0035] Eddy current sensor 46 is used to transmit and receive detection signals, and in some embodiments may include a resiliently extendable probe 461, which is disposed at the end of eddy current sensor 46 facing the second end 122.

[0036] For example Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the reference cover 44 is semi-trumpet shaped and is disposed on the lower periphery of the probe 461; the outer end of the reference cover 44 and the probe end of the probe 461 face the second end 122, and the probe end of the probe 461 protrudes beyond the outer end of the reference cover 44; the axial direction of the reference cover 44 is perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In addition, the outer end face of the reference cover 44 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane where the base assembly 1 is located.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first clamping member 431 and the second clamping member 432 each have a hemispherical accommodating space inside. After assembling the first clamping member 431 and the second clamping member 432, the clamping assembly 43 formed has a spherical space inside that cooperates with the fixing member 45. The fixing member 45 is spherical and is spherically connected to the clamping assembly 43, and is rotatably installed inside the clamping assembly 43. The eddy current sensor 46 is elongated, and the fixing member 45 tightly fits the eddy current sensor 46 along the axial direction of the eddy current sensor 46.

[0038] Understandably, when the detection component 4 is not in contact with the surface being measured, the reference cover 44 and the eddy current sensor 46 are coaxial; when the detection component 4 contacts the surface being measured, the axis of the eddy current sensor 46 rotates about the center of the sphere of the fixing member 45, with a maximum rotation angle of 3 degrees. During this rotation, at least one second rotation axis is formed according to the axial direction of the eddy current sensor 46. The fixing member 45 is rotatably mounted in the clamping component 43 about the at least one second rotation axis.

[0039] For example Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the rotating shaft 41 may include a main body segment 411 and a platform segment 412 connected to the main body segment 411. The main body segment 411 passes through the bearing housing 221, and the platform segment 412 is mounted on the end of the bearing housing 221 away from the base assembly 1, and the diameter of the platform segment 412 is larger than the diameter of the main body segment 411.

[0040] In some embodiments, the detection component 4 also includes a bearing 47, which is fitted onto the rotating shaft 41 to reduce friction between the rotating shaft 41 and the bearing housing. The bearing 47 may include an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner diameter of the bearing 47's inner ring is adapted to the diameter of the main body section 411, and the outer diameter of the bearing 47's outer ring is adapted to the bore diameter of the bearing housing 221.

[0041] The bearing housing 221 is coaxial with the connected rotating shaft 41, support member 42, and clamping assembly 43. Understandably, the rotating shaft 41, support member 42, and clamping assembly 43 rotate around the first rotation axis, with their rotation direction and rotation angle being consistent. Additionally, the reference cover 44 is connected to one side of the clamping assembly 43, and its rotation direction and rotation angle are also consistent with those of the rotating shaft 41 and support member 42 based on the clamping assembly 43.

[0042] The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device in some embodiments of the present invention includes the following detection method:

[0043] S1: When the drive component 3 is in the closed state, the sliding component 2 is in the first position, the second sensor 33 cooperates with the first sensor 23, and transmits the signal that the cylinder 32 is not started to the host (not shown);

[0044] S2: When the drive component 3 is in the open state, the cylinder 32 drives the sliding component 2 to move from the first position to the second position, and the second sensor 33 transmits the signal that the cylinder 32 has been started to the host end.

[0045] S3: When the sliding component 2 approaches the second position, the cylinder 32 stops applying force, and the motor (not shown) continues to drive the sliding component 2 to move to the second position;

[0046] S4: When the sliding component 2 moves to the second position, the detection component 4 contacts the surface to be measured, the third sensor 34 cooperates with the fourth sensor, and transmits the signal to shut down the motor to the host. The motor is shut down, and the eddy current sensor 46 starts to measure data.

[0047] S5: After the eddy current sensor 46 completes the measurement, the motor drives the sliding component 2 to move from the second position to the first position. When the sliding component 2 moves to the first position, the second sensing element 33 corresponds to the first sensing element 23 and transmits the signal that the sliding component 2 and the cylinder 32 have been reset to the host.

[0048] Further, step S4 includes the following steps:

[0049] S41: When the sliding component 2 moves to the second position, the probe 461 contacts the surface to be measured and undergoes elastic contraction. Subsequently, the reference cover 44 contacts the surface to be measured, and the elastic element 2221 pushes the support 42 to rotate around the first rotation axis. The support 42 drives the reference cover 44 to rotate, so that the end of the reference cover 44 facing the surface to be measured fits against the surface to be measured.

[0050] S42: The fastener 45 tightly fits the eddy current sensor 46 and rotates about at least one second rotation axis, so that the end of the probe 461 facing the measured surface is in contact with the measured surface;

[0051] S43: The cylinder retracts. After receiving the retraction signal, the third sensor 34 transmits the signal to shut down the motor to the host, and the motor shuts down.

[0052] S44: Eddy current sensor 46 transmits and receives detection signals and transmits the detection data to the host.

[0053] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate some implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, the above technical features can be freely combined, and several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made with respect to the scope of the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting oxide film on in-service nuclear fuel assembly grids, characterized in that, include: The base assembly (1) includes a base (11) and a guide rail (12) disposed on the base (11); The sliding component (2) is movably disposed on the guide rail (12); A driving component (3) is connected to the sliding component (2) to drive the sliding component (2) to slide on the guide rail (12); as well as The detection component (4) is rotatably mounted on the sliding component (2) about a first rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane where the base component (1) is located; The detection assembly (4) further includes a clamping assembly (43) rotatably mounted on the sliding assembly (2) about the first rotation axis, a fixing member (45) rotatably mounted in the clamping assembly (43) about at least one second rotation axis, and an eddy current sensor (46) disposed in the fixing member (45); The fixing member (45) is spherically connected to the clamping assembly (43); The eddy current sensor (46) includes a retractable probe (461); The detection component (4) further includes a reference cover (44), which is disposed around the probe (461), and the detection end of the probe (461) protrudes from the outer end of the reference cover (44); When the detection component (4) is not in contact with the surface being measured, the reference cover (44) and the eddy current sensor (46) are coaxial; when the detection component (4) is in contact with the surface being measured, the axis of the eddy current sensor (46) rotates around the center of the sphere of the fixing member (45) with a maximum rotation angle of 3 degrees. During this rotation, at least one second rotation axis is formed according to the axial direction of the eddy current sensor (46); the fixing member (45) is rotatably mounted in the clamping component (43) around the at least one second rotation axis.

2. The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference cover (44) is semi-trumpet shaped and is located on the lower periphery of the probe (461).

3. The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference cover (44) is coaxially arranged with the probe (461), and its axis is perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

4. The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rotation axis is perpendicular to the length direction of the guide rail (12).

5. The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding assembly (2) includes a main body (22), the main body (22) includes an adjustment frame (222), the adjustment frame (222) includes a bracket (2222) and a pair of elastic members (2221) mounted on the bracket (2222). The pair of elastic members (2221) abut against the detection assembly (4) respectively and are respectively spaced on two opposite sides of the first rotation axis.

6. The in-service nuclear fuel assembly grid oxide film detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail (12) includes a first end (121) and a second end (122) opposite to the first end (121). The drive assembly (3) includes a fixed seat (31) and a cylinder (32). The fixed seat 31 is disposed at the first end 121 and is used to provide structural support for the cylinder (32). The sliding assembly (2) also includes a first sensing element (23). The drive assembly (3) includes a second sensing element (33), a third sensing element (34) and a fourth sensing element. The first sensing element (23) cooperates with the second sensing element (33). The third sensing element (34) is disposed on the outside of the cylinder (32) and close to the fixed seat (31). The fourth sensing element is disposed on the inside of the cylinder (32) and away from the fixed seat (31). The third sensing element (34) cooperates with the fourth sensing element.

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